Small Space Gardening

Small Space Gardening

“Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is an equal opportunity

employer and program provider. The Texas A&M

University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas

Cooperating”1

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is implied.

Topics

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• Getting inspired• Creating a space (raised

beds and containers)• The importance of soil• What to plant• When to plant• Caretaking• Get a bit of extra help

from ergonomics• Resources -- handout

Spring 2016 Highland Village

You can do it!

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“I went out to my garden to pick my peppers before the

cold hit them too hard and I found these… just hanging

around. Picking tomatoes in December seems like the

best Christmas gift ever!!” North Texas Vegetable Gardener

Facebook post.

North Texas Vegetable Gardeners – Facebook post

Yes you can!

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Why grow your own?• Growing your own vegetables and herbs provides pleasure to your senses and rewards for

your palate.

• Picky eaters are often more willing to eat healthy vegetables if they are involved in growing and harvesting them. Learning how to grow food can change children’s lives forever.

• Working outdoors in the vegetable garden increases social interaction opportunities. Sharing gardening experiences and products can be the beginning of a new friendship.

• Knowing how fresh foods taste can help you and your family be more discriminating consumers.

• Store-bought produce is often picked before maturity of taste and nutrition and then travels an average of 1,500 miles from where it was grown to your super market.

• You can grow healthier and better tasting varieties than you can buy.

A research study on relative nutrition content of 43 fruits and vegetables was conducted by Donald Davis and his team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The team compared data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on nutritional values of produce from 1950 and again in 1999. It was found that there were “reliable declines” in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C. Davis and his colleagues hypothesized that the declining nutritional content resulted from agricultural practices designed to improve traits such as size, growth rate, and pest resistance. (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, December 2004.)

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It is fun!

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Searching for peas

What can you grow in a small space?

• Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, mesclun

• Underground veggies such as carrots, radishes, potatoes

• Onions, shallots, garlic

• Many different herbs including annuals like basil, dill, parsley and cilantro or perennials such as oregano, thyme, mint, chives, marjoram, sage

• Hot weather vegetables including cherry tomatoes, green beans, eggplant and peppers

• Add vertical support and you can grow cucumbers, pole beans, and peas

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Grow what you and your family will eat

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About raised beds and containers

How to build a raised bed frame • Construct the frame with a nontoxic building material, such as stone, cinder blocks, bricks,

untreated wood or fiberglass. (Some garden centers and catalogs sell raised bed frames ready for assembly.)

• Make sure the frame is sturdy enough to hold together when filled with soil.

• If using boards, secure them at the corners with metal braces, or use screws or nails to secure the boards to a reinforcing block of wood inside the corners.

• Or use rebar posts to support frame. Drive posts into the ground to brace the boards at the corners and every 3–4 feet, on the outside of the box. Do not nail or try to fasten screws into the ends of the boards - they will split. Boards 2 – 3 inches thick will last much longer than 1-inch boards.

• If using concrete blocks, offset placement provides more stability and reduces soil loss.

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Raised bed construction examples

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Rebar support

Corner support

Offset for greater stability

Preparing raised bed for planting

• Place a layer of cardboard on the bottom to keep sneaky weeds and grasses with deep roots from invading your garden space. Cardboard will decompose in a few weeks.

• Add gardening soil and compost or potting soil for vegetables. Use a soil volume calculator to determine how much soil you need to have 8 to 12 inches depth (resources).

• Layout watering system using drip irrigation or soaker hoses.

• Add 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch.

• If following a square-foot garden design, add grid (usually wood slats) to control plant spacing.

• Soil test the second year. Continue yearly testing until soil tests well then every couple years after that.

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How to use soil calculator –there are several online

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Square or circle

More raised bed examples

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Easily rolls into new location for sun or partial shade

Herbs, small vegetable plants or flowers can grow in cinder block holes

Vertical support for peas, pole beans and cucumbers

See more clever raised bed ideas on Pinterest

Growing herbs and vegetables in containers

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• Release your creativity—Any container can be used to grow herbs and vegetables as long as:

• There is a drain hole to keep roots from sitting in water

• The depth and width are sufficient for plant roots to spread

• Be sure to group plants by water and sun requirements

• To help control the impact of summer heat, consider double-containers with a layer of peat moss in between

• Plants in containers need some ventilation

• Don’t hide your vegetable plants from pollinators

• Be sure to sterilize re-use pots with a mild bleach before planting

• Read plant tag or online to find out mature size of plant

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Before you plant

What is the big deal about soil?

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• Soil is NOT dirt!• Dirt is what people and pets bring into the house that

needs to be cleaned up.• Soil is the unconsolidated mineral or organic material

that serves as a natural medium for the growth of plants.

• Soil, with its organic material and microorganisms, contains almost EVERYTHING that plants need to grow. Nitrogen should be added as it dissipates quickly from soil.

• Soil should be treasured.

Gardening soil should be loose enough that you can dig a planting hole with your hand.

Soil for raised beds is different than for containers

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Raised Bed Container

If using existing soil, supplement with 50% organic material or compost (equals about 6 inches) or

Must be well-aerated to provide growth space for roots and drain well.

Purchase garden soil. The best media for vegetables consists of one- third topsoil, one-third peat moss and one-third sand or coarse perlite. (https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/files/2010/10/E-

560_raised_bed_garden.pdf)

Contains some proportion of peat moss and soil-less materials such as vermiculite, perlite and/or coir fiber mixed with 25-30% soil.

DO a soil analysis and supplement as recommended in test results.

Enhance soil with some combination of bone meal, blood meal, chelated iron, rock phosphate, worm compost, or processed manure.

Use a soil calculator to determine how much soil to purchase.

The bottom may be filled with coarse or builders sand (not fine or playground sand).

Layout irrigation and then add 4 inches of mulch on top to moderate soil temperature, keep out weeds and retain moisture.

Leave 1 inch of head room. This keeps water from over-flowing and washing away soil.

Refresh organic material (compost) each year. Dampen mixture before adding to container.

Organic mulch decomposes into compost. Herbs prefer a courser soil blend than vegetables.

Soil analysis

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Macro-nutrients = N – nitrogenP – phosphorusK – potassiumCa – calciumMg – magnesiumS – sulfur

Micro-nutrients =Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Chloride (Cl), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn)

Ph = soil acidity Take samples from several locations in your garden or landscape bed; 4 to 6 inches deep

Mix samples

Pack samples (use double bags for safety), label and ship to lab. Forms available from:

http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/

Improve raised-bed soil by adding decomposed organic material

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• Commercial potting soil often has some fertilizer but will benefit from adding minerals.• Improves the ability of the soil to accept and store water. • Increases the activity and number of soil organisms. • Over time, a well-amended soil will supply all of the nutrients your plants require and

reduce fertilizer requirements (except nitrogen). • If using manure or hay for mulch, know the source. These herbicides: Aminopyralid,

clopyralid, and picloram are registered for application to pasture, grain crops, residential lawns, commercial turf, …. According to North Carolina State University, these herbicides “can also remain active … even after it is composted. The herbicides can also remain active in hay, straw, and grass clippings for an unusually long time.” (several years)

• How much? For vegetable gardens, add 6 inches of compost.

Organic soil amendments• Fish meal—hydrolyzed fish fertilizer (approximately: 2-4-1) plus some proteins and

minerals to feed soil microorganisms. Almost no smell (as opposed to fish emulsion).

• Bone meal—source for phosphorous

• Blood meal—source of nitrogen. Be aware this smells a bit the first few days and may attract critters.

• Molasses—dry from feed stores or specialty nurseries or dilute store-bought (1 to 2 tbsp. per gallon) feeds microorganisms.

• Sea minerals or rock powders (ex: SEA-90, azomite)

• Animal poo —bat, gerbil, rabbit, chicken and manure okay if properly composted. Dog, cat or human not okay because even high-temperature composting may not kill all parasites.

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Make a plan—plant selection and placement

• Select vegetables you and your family will eat.

• Note the mature size of the plant to ensure enough garden space for growth and air-drying of leaves.

• Check available sunlight. Remember sun angle changes throughout the year. Sun-loving plants need at least 8 hours of sunlight per day.

• Use pencil and paper or one of the free on-line garden planning applications (Resources).

• Generate a list of transplants and seeds to purchase. Enjoy perusing seed catalogs, but choose varieties recommended for North Texas.

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When it looks like this outside, stay warm beside a nice fire and plan next

spring’s garden.

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Let’s do it!

Cool weather and warm weather crops

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Plant in Warm weatherTomatoesEggplants

PeppersSquashes

CucumbersBeans

Plant in Cool weatherSalad greensGarlicPotatoesCrucifersOnionsBeetsCarrotsPeas

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Select proven varieties. Not everything that grows in a vegetable garden will do well in North Texas.

Varieties recommended for North Texas

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When to plant

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To increase success, use• Soil temperature (for

seed germination)• Ambient temperature

(for transplants) or• Recommended

average planting dates

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Soil temperature needed for seeds to germinate

• Soil temperatures should be taken by inserting a soil thermometer 3 to 4 inches deep into the soil surface.

• Soil thermometers are available from garden centers, feed and seed stores, and from many garden supply catalogs.

• Soil temperatures should be consistent for several days before seeds are sown to ensure that the seeds are being exposed to optimal temperatures for germination.

Ambient temperatures desired to transplanting seedlings

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“… don’t be swayed by the vegetable transplants lining the garden center shelves. Just because plants are in the stores doesn’t mean it’s time to plant them.” (University of Georgia Extension

Service)

• To minimizing transplant shock, avoid transplanting into dry soil. Add water to seedling container and then soil immediately after transplant. Even when planting into moist soils, newly planted seedlings need additional water. (Penn State Extension Service)

• If plants are coming directly from a greenhouse, be sure to harden them off before planting

• Choose a cloudy day or late afternoon for transplanting

• Warm-season vegetables grow best between 60° and 75° or 80° F. Cool-season vegetables such as lettuce and spinach should be grown between 50° and 70° F. (University of Illinois Extension Service)

Spring planting dates for North Texas

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• Simplest way is to use “average” planting dates

• Cool season veggies: Optimal growing temperatures day: 60-70°F night: 50-60°F

• Warm season veggies: Optimal growing temperatures day: 70-80°F night: 60-65°F

• Vegetables that can withstand light frost: Artichokes, bokchoy, cauliflower, celery,Chinese cabbage, peas, quinoa, and radicchio

• Vegetables that can withstand hard frost: Arugula, broccoli, Brussels, beets, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, spinach, Swiss chard

Fall planting dates for North Texas

30Source: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

About growing herbs• Herbs are leaves of plants used to flavor food and drink.

Many, many herbs grow well in North Texas. Which herbs you choose to grow depends on your preferences.

• Herb plants can be interspersed in your landscape, grown in raised beds and in containers.

• Herbs prefer well-drained soil but are usually not too picky about soil composition.

• Herb plants differ in their need for water and sun light. Some, such as basil, want full sun, while others prefer some afternoon shade or even partial shade all the time.

• It is best to read package or planting instructions for each type of herb you choose to grow.

• Most herb plants are resistant to pests and disease.

• Although some herbs start well from seed (dill and cilantro, for example), others can be difficult to start from seed and purchasing transplant seedlings is recommended.

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A few lessons learned about growing herbs

• Rosemary is a shrub that can reach 6 x 6 feet

• Mint is EXTREMELY aggressive and does best in a container

• Some basils, dill and cilantro self-seed

• Bay laurel is a small tree

• Garlic chives flower and spread seeds—onion chives are better behaved

• Oregano may spread widely

• Cutting back herb plants helps the plant grow more vigorously

• Harvest young leaves for more flavor

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Vegetables to seed

ArugulaBeans (pole and bush types)BeetsCarrotsPeas (Southern and English)RadishesTurnipsOkra

Vegetables to transplant

BroccoliBrussels Sprouts

CabbageEggplant

LeeksPeppers

TomatoesCauliflower

Asparagus (crowns)Onions (sets)

Vegetables that can go either way*

LettuceSpinachChardKale

SquashCucumbers

Leeks

* Allow 3 to 4 weeks to reach size of transplants.

Exceptions: potatoes grow from seed potatoes, sweet potatoes grow from slips and garlic from cloves. Fall crops generally do better when started from transplants than from seed.

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• Check the seed packet instructions for planting depth, distribution, thinning, day to maturity, size and harvesting.

• Soak large seeds overnight. Small seeds can be soaked for a couple hours.

• Level the soil and dig a straight trench to the desired depth.

• Distribute seeds as evenly as possible. Sometimes it helps to mix small seeds with coarse sand or corn meal.

• Pat soil firmly to ensure contact with the seed.

• Moisten the soil and keep it damp until leaves emerge.

• Soon after seedlings grow their second set of true leaves, thin them out to recommended spacing.

Helpful information from seed packet

• Look for the year the seeds were packed, usually printed or stamped on the envelope (will appear as "sell by" or "grown for").

• How far apart to space seeds within a row, the depth for sowing the seeds, days to germination, and instructions for thinning seedlings.

* University of Georgia Extension service

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Growing in containers

Growing herbs and vegetables in containers• Any container can be used to grow herbs and vegetables as

long as:

• There is a drain hole

• The depth and width is sufficient for plant roots to spread

• Choose a good potting mix or supplement soil with 25% composted organic matter and 25% perlite or vermiculite.

• Group plants by their need for sunlight and water.

• Plan on adding supplemental water frequently during hot weather as containers dry out more quickly than the soil.

• When growing in containers: Add fertilizer when planting if the potting mix does not have fertilizer. Fertilize annuals monthly during the growing season; perennials should be fertilized at the beginning of the growing season.

• Add compost to provide plants with trace nutrients and mulch to reduce moisture loss and moderate soil temperature.

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Containers: how deep

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Vegetable Recommended soil depth

Greens 6 inches

Basil 8 inches

Beans 6 inches

Beets 10 inches

Broccoli 2 gallon container

Cabbage 2 gallon container

Carrots 8 inches

Chard 8 inches

Collard greens 8 inches

Cucumber (bush) 1 gallon container

Eggplant 5 gallon container

Vegetable Recommended soil depth

Garlic 8 inches

Kale 8 inches

Lettuce 4 inches

Parsley 8 inches

Peas 6 to 12 inches

Peppers 5 gallon container

Potatoes 10 inches mounding up to 36 inches

Radishes 4 to 6 inches

Spinach 8 inches

Squash 5 gallon container

Tomatoes 5 gallon container

*Cornell University Cooperative Extension and Texas A&M Agrilife

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Recommended vegetable varieties for growing in containers

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* Texas A&M AgriLife

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Taking care of your plants

Fertilizer Application*

• Soil type dictates the frequency for fertilizer application. Sandy soils require more frequent applications and lower amounts of nitrogen and other nutrients than do clay type soils.

• Check fertilizer label for recommended frequency of application for specific vegetables.

• A general rule of thumb is that nitrogen is for leafy top growth; phosphorus is for root and fruit production; and potassium is for cold hardiness, disease resistance, drought tolerance, and general durability.

• CAUTION: If tomatoes and other nightshade plants are fertilized too heavily with nitrogen, the plant may be all leaves and no fruit. A nitrogen application will have its greatest effect for 3 to 4 weeks after application.

41* http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/guides/texas-vegetable-growers-handbook/chapter-iii-soils-fertilizers/

Plant care for salad greens

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• Ideal ambient temperatures are 50°-70° F

• Add supplemental water when soil dries out at 1 inch depth (finger test or moisture meter). Containers dry out more quickly than raised beds or in-ground gardens.

• Fertilize with blood meal, fish meal, cottonseed meal or pre-mixed 10-5-5 chemical fertilizer

• Pests and diseases for greens include: aphids, leafminers, Leafhoppers, cabbage looper, cutworms, slugs, downy mildew, mosaic of Fusarium. Follow Integrated Pest Management Guidelines (Resources) for controls.

• Leaves may be harvested individually from the outside of the plant or the entire plant may be harvested when outside leaves reach the desired size.

Plant care for warm weather crops

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more

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Pests and beneficial insects

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Beneficial Insects

Chewing Insects Sucking Insects Soil Insects

Assassin BugBig-eyed BugGround BeetleHoney BeeLacewingMinute Pirate BugLady Bird BeetleParasitic WaspPredatory WaspPraying MantisVarious Spiders

Beet ArmywormBlister BeetleCabbage LooperCarrot WeevilCorn EarwormDiamondback MothFall ArmywormFlea BeetleGarden WebwormGrasshopperImported Cabbage WormPepper WeevilPickle WormSalt Marsh CaterpillarSerpentine LeafminerSquash Vine BorerTomato(tobacco) HornwormTomato Pinworm

Two-spotted MiteAphidCabbage AphidLeaf-footed BugLeafhopperOnion ThripsSharpshooterSweet Potato WhiteflySquash BugStink BugThripsWhitefly

Granulate CutwormMole CricketPill BugSouthern Corn RootwormSweet Potato WeevilWhite GrubWireworm

https://vegetableipm.tamu.edu/insects-by-name/

For pictures and more information:

Common vegetable diseases• Spread by:

➢Soil: mostly fungi, bacteria and nematodes

➢Contaminated seeds

➢ Insect and nematode — mostly viruses

➢Wind: mostly fungi

➢Water: mostly fungi and bacteria

➢Human activity (wash and disinfect your tools)

• Excellent resources for information and pictures:

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https://agrilife.org/samuelzapata/files/2016/09/Common-diseases-of-vegetable-crops-and-their-management_Aug.-25-2016.pdf

Agricultural pests—search by crop: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/crops-agriculture.html

Early blight on tomato

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Getting some help from ergonomics

About ergonomic gardening tools• Gardening is great physical therapy for maintaining joint flexibility, bone density, and range

of motion.

• As we age, gardening tasks that require strength, a lot of repetitive stooping, squatting, kneeling, gripping and lifting can be painful and difficult.

• Ergonomic tools make executing gardening tasks easier on the body.

• Ergonomics is the science of adapting tools to help reduce physical stress on a worker’s body (U.S. Department of Labor).

• In general, ergonomic tools have longer handles, are made of lightweight materials, and offer smaller grips. They also tend to:• Neutralize joint position• Minimize stress• Allow for different sizes• Add soft padding• Reduce vibration• Include thumb rest and proper-diameter grips

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Gardening helpers

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Sit or flip to kneel Kneeling pad

Show and tell – ergonomic tools

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Resources and references

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Denton County Master Gardener North Texas Gardening: http://dcmga.com/north-texas-gardening/

TAMU Soil Analysis Lab: http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/

Soil report interpretation guidance: http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/22023/ec1478.pdf

Soil quantity calculator: http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/soil-calculator/

Growing vegetables in Containers: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/files/2010/10/E-545_vegetable_gardening_containers.pdf

Vegetable Variety Selector by County: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/veg_variety/

Vegetable varieties for North Central Texas: http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/urbantarranthorticulture/files/2010/06/Vegetable-Varieties-for-North-Central-Texas-1.pdf

Integrated Pest Management Guidelines for Texas: http://vegetableipm.tamu.edu/

Crucifer Disease Guide: https://www.seminis.com/global/us/growerresources/Documents/SEM-12093_Crucifer_Disease_Guide_072313.pdf

Vegetable Gardening in Containers: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/files/2010/10/E-545_vegetable_gardening_containers.pdf

Container Gardening: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/solutions/container-gardening/

Beneficial and problem insects: https://vegetableipm.tamu.edu/insects-by-name/

More resourcesEasy Gardening series: Tips on planting and caring for commonly grown vegetables. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/

Texas Home Vegetable Gardening Guide http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/files/2010/10/E-502_home_vegetable_guide.pdf

Organic Gardening: Information on gardening using organic methods. http://organiclifestyles.tamu.edu/index.html

AgriLife Organic Vegetable Gardening page http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/organic/crops/vegetable-gardening/

AgriLife Organic Insect Management page http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/organic/crops/insect-management/

Texas Earth-Kind Gardening Techniques: Everything from preparing the soil and planting, to taking care of your crops: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/earthkind/ekgarden.pdf

Recommended planting dates:

http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/urbantarranthorticulture/files/2010/06/Recommended_Planting_Dates_for_North_Texas1.pdf

Required soil temperatures for improving plant’s success http://dallas-tx.tamu.edu/files/2010/06/Vegetable-Planting-Guide.pdf

Garden Design help: http://www.motherearthnews.com/garden-planner/vegetable-garden-planner.aspx and http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/KGP-Design

Insect Management in Organic Farming Systems: http://articles.extension.org/pages/59455/insect-management-in-organic-farming-systems

Landscape IPM: http://landscapeipm.tamu.edu/what-is-ipm/ipm-concepts/

Vegetable diseases: https://agrilife.org/samuelzapata/files/2016/09/Common-diseases-of-vegetable-crops-and-their-management_Aug.-25-2016.pdf

Agricultural pests—search by crop: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/crops-agriculture.html 51